Nations around the world are screening calls from Washington, ignoring our requests for help in Iraq.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been asking for replacements for battle-weary and home-longing U.S. troops, but he's not getting many positive responses. He's basically getting the don't-call-us-we'll-call-you routine.

And this comes as a surprise to whom? And who can blame the rest of the world for returning the favor?

Let's revisit recent history. Rumsfeld and his boss, President George W. Bush, thumbed their collective nose at the United Nations and pretty much the rest of the world (with all apologies to the miniscule and nearly invisible "coalition of the willing" that included such military powerhouses as Eritrea and Ethiopia) months ago. They went to war in Iraq, despite pleas from most corners to give weapons inspectors more time.

Now, after the war, U.S. troops have worn themselves out in a race to ensnare Baghdad. They've performed admirably, and they're ready to come home. After decapitating Saddam Hussein's regime and destroying quite a bit of the country's infrastructure in the untidy process that is war, they've mostly become a peacekeeping force, if you believed the president when he said the war had been won.

(He might want to try to explain that war-over theory to the troops still getting shot at each day. The toll of U.S. dead keeps mounting in these Bush-pronounced post-war days.)

U.S. troops have done their best to maintain peace in Iraq. Keeping that peace will require an in-country force of tens of thousands

But U.S. troops are ready to return home. They've earned that trip. Yet, no one stands ready to take their place.

Why?

The arrogant attitude of the administration in the run-up to war is the main reason the United States stands pretty much alone at this turning point in history.

Putting the pieces of war-torn Iraq back together is not a burden the United States should shoulder alone, although it's easy to understand why many would think this nation should -- you break it, you buy it.

The United States should work to find partners for this process, even if that means coming down from the high horse and asking for help.